Delegate Agreeable To Rival

Trible Supporter Unaware Of Flap

May 13, 1989|By BOB KEMPER Staff Writer

GLOUCESTER — Republican state Del. Harvey B. Morgan said he "would be pleased" to take on a Democratic opponent if one emerged for this year's election, but he had no knowledge of maneuverings by other Republicans that led one would-be Democratic challenger to decide not to run.

Morgan said Friday he had been unaware that Paul S. Trible Jr., who wants to be the Republican candidate for governor, had intervened this week and blocked the campaign of Democrat Michael T. Soberick, who intended to oppose Morgan.

Morgan, a long-time Trible supporter who has held the 98th District seat since 1979, had been out of town while events were unfolding this week.

"When I left Gloucester for vacation, I didn't have an opponent," Morgan said. "When I returned I still didn't have an opponent."

Morgan returned Tuesday night, just after Soberick canceled his campaign. Soberick had intended to make a public announcement Wednesday that he would be in the race.

But as word of Soberick's candidacy started to spread on the Middle Peninsula, a friend of Trible called him and asked him to intervene. Trible is a member of a Virginia Beach-based law firm that Soberick is just joining.

So Trible called the firm and expressed his concerns about Soberick opposing Morgan. Trible has said he would do whatever he can to ensure Republicans are elected to the General Assembly, where they are outnumbered 3-to-1 in the House and 4-to-1 in the Senate.

The firm - Shuttleworth, Ruloff, Giordano & Kahle - then contacted Soberick expressing concerns that he might not be able to successfully run a political campaign at a time when he is just establishing a private law practice.

Soberick canceled his campaign before it ever really started.

"Whatever may have occurred in my absence - I am not privy to that information," Morgan said. "And if the Democratic Party decides to offer a candidate, I would be pleased to run on my record."

Morgan said he has talked with Soberick since Soberick withdrew, and had only praise for him. "I think it would have been a good campaign," Morgan said. "He's an honorable man."

Some local Democrats have said they want Morgan to call Trible and tell him to back off, then invite Soberick back into the race. But Morgan said "it would be inappropriate" for him to do that since he lacks information about what transpired while he was away.

Morgan said Friday he had not yet talked with Trible about events earlier in the week.

Morgan will be nominated for the House seat Tuesday.

Democrats will meet Monday to review whether they'll have another candidate to oppose Morgan, but some said they had little chance of finding one.